Free Blades of the Old Empire by Anna Kashina Page A

her fellows in rank could match her skill. She was also immune to the disabling power wielded by their mysterious Kaddim attackers. And yet, since their encounter with Nimos, Kyth couldn’t escape the nagging feeling that something was about to go terribly wrong.
    “My presence puts you in danger,” he said. “I can feel it.”
    She laughed again. “What’s gotten into you? I’m here to protect you , remember?”
    He shook his head. He didn’t know how explain it to her. In the face of her certainty he was beginning to doubt himself. Perhaps deep down it wasn’t concern for her that made him feel so insecure, but fear of the possibility that after they reach the Majat Guild he might fail the negotiations and lose her.
    “Do you think your Guildmaster will let you go on with me?” he asked.
    She shrugged. “He will, if you pay the price. He cannot refuse. Unless–”
    “Unless what?”
    “Unless he’s already committed me to another assignment. But even then, someone would have to hire me by name to take precedence over you, and no one has hired a Diamond by name for hundreds of years.”
    “Really?”
    “It costs triple, and it really makes no sense. Everyone knows all Diamonds are truly equal in skill, so why pay triple for the same thing?”
    Kyth nodded. Her words were reassuring. “I’m glad we’ll be together,” he said quietly.
    She stopped and turned to face him, her eyes two dark spots in the forest dimness.
    “Kyth–”
    “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said it.” Kyth lowered his head. He was a prince, a man whose wishes mattered very little when it came to choosing a bride. His feelings for Kara, if pursued, could lead to a scandal, maybe even a war, but they could never lead to a proper marriage. He cared too much to put her through that. It seemed much better never to mention his feelings to her. Yet, when she stood in front of him, so close that he could detect her faint natural scent of wild flowers, it was too hard to control himself.
    “I… I know we’re not a proper match,” he said.
    “It’s not that.” She reached forward to touch his hand. Her warmth made him shiver as he closed his fingers over hers.
    “It’s not you,” she said. “It’s me. I’m not allowed to have any feelings, for anyone. It would go against my training and everything I am. I do care for you, but–”
    Her breath burned his cheek. Her eyes filled his vision, beckoning. Her faint scent was driving him mad. He wasn’t sure what he was doing anymore.
    As Kyth drew closer, she turned and met his lips. The kiss echoed through his body like silent thunder. His head swam, his mind retreating to give room to raw senses. He immersed in her closeness, her warmth, her smell. He didn’t know how long it lasted. Her skin was smooth under his lips, the silk of her hair caressing his cheek. Her kiss drowned him and brought him back to life and drowned him again.
    After an eternity he emerged, weak and senseless, his entire being driven by the sole desire to hold her close, so close that he couldn’t tell the two of them apart anymore. He felt her body go tense in his arms as she made a move to draw away. He couldn’t let her go, but through their incredible closeness he sensed that she wanted him to stop. It was the hardest thing he’d ever had to do; to lower his arms and step away, weak and trembling, helpless as if he had just been reborn and didn’t know how to make his first steps into the world.
    “Kara,” he whispered.
    She drew away, shivering. “I shouldn’t have done it. Sorry.”
    He didn’t move, waiting for her to continue. He felt dizzy. It took all he had to be so close and not to touch her, to force his arms to stay lowered by his sides.
    “We can’t let this happen again, Kyth,” she said quietly.
    “Why?” He kept his voice to a whisper, so that she couldn’t hear the plea. The thought that one day they would part forever was unbearable. There had to be a way to make this